Daniel Sedin won't play for Canucks in opener against Kings

VANCOUVER, Canada--Greetings from Vancouver, where only one of the Sedin twins was on the ice for the Canucks’ game-day skate in advance of Wednesday night’s first-round playoff opener against the Kings.

Coach Alain Vigneault said afterward that Daniel Sedin, who has a concussion, won't play Wednesday. "This is a unique injury and you have to take it day by day," he said.

Vigneault also said he would not address reports in the Swedish media that Daniel had experienced headaches after skating on Monday. "We've got the total picture and we know what's going on. We're not going to share it," he said.

Speculation over Daniel Sedin's status had been rampant since he practiced on Monday but didn’t practice on Tuesday. Brother Henrik Sedin declined to provide an update Wednesday after Daniel wasn't on the ice at Rogers Arena.

“I’m real happy talking about the guys that are playing tonight,” Henrik Sedin said. “That’s the only thing I’m going to talk about.”

But he did say he was encouraged that the Canucks were able to win eight of their final nine games without Daniel in the lineup.

“We really got back to playing a good team game. If you play like that it doesn’t matter who’s in the lineup,” said Henrik, the NHL’s assist leader this season with 67.

Daniel’s usual spot alongside Henrik and winger Alex Burrows will be taken by Mason Raymond. Burrows said the Canucks will be able to compensate.

“No one’s going to replace Daniel, the skill set and what he brings to the table,” Burrows said. “but at the same time, we’ve been with Mase before and we’ve been able to score goals and to play well. So we’re going to try to work our best and make sure we’re solid defensively and provide some offense the same way. If we can do that, great.”

He also said he expects the Kings to play a hard-hitting style and that the Canucks can handle it.

“We just have to establish our game plan. We’re comfortable in most situations,” he said. “We’re expecting a physical series and we’ve got to be physical too. It’s nothing we haven’t seen or experienced this year. So we’re looking forward to the challenge.”